NATURAL SCIENCES OF PHILADELPHIA. 
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wooded districts, its flight is performed in an irregular desultory manner, 
rising and falling in cycloidal curves, and is seldom protracted to any great 
distance. While passing over head it utters continually a peculiar rattling 
chirp impossible to describe, yet once heard never to be mistaken ; and while 
seated on a twig, or engaged in searching for food, it has all the plaintive and 
varied modulations for which the Chrysomitris tristis is so noted, and from 
which the latter derives its specific name. I never heard any thing that could 
with any propriety be called a song. The food of this species consists entirely 
of the seeds of various grasses ; and when shot while feeding, it will be found 
to have the throat crammed with them. In this respect, as well as in voice, 
flight and general manners, I could not but be struck with the similarity which 
exists between this bird and the common Goldfinch. Audubon, in his account 
of the A. linaria , is at some pains to refute the opinion that there exists be- 
tween that bird and the Chrysomitris, the great similarity in general habits that 
has been ascribed to it. Receiving the testimony of that unrivalled student 
of nature, the close resemblance which I am able to state does exist between 
the present bird and the Goldfinch, would furnish, if necessary, additional 
proof of the specific distinction of A. fuscescens and linaria ; since the habits 
and manners of two birds, however closely allied, will always be found to differ 
in some particulars.* 
Passerculus savanna (Wils.), Bon. — Savannah Sparrow. 
Emberiza savanna, And. Birds Amer. iii. 68 ; pi. 160. 
Passerculus savanna, Baird, Gen. Rep. 442. 
The partiality of this species for low moist meadows and watery savannahs, 
and the vicinity of the sen-shore, where it frequently associates with the Am- 
modromus caudacutus, is well known as its most characteristic habit. In 
Labrador, where it is abundant during the summer months, I never noticed 
it in any other situation. It was frequently to be seen even on the beds of 
dried “ Eel-grass,” ( Zostera ,) along the rocky shore, searching for food in com- 
pany with the Tit-larks, and Bonaparte’s Sandpipers, Actodromas Bonapartei. 
It is a shy and timid species, when approached darting at once into the thick- 
est and rankest grass. It is thentfather difficult to procure ; for it rises only 
when almost trodden on, flies a few yards in a rapid zigzag manner, and then 
darting down again, runs rapidly to a considerable distance. It is a very ac- 
tive species, almost continually in motion, running nimbly through the tall 
grasses like a mouse. I heard no notes except the usual sparrow-like chirp, 
though in the spring it has considerable vocal powers as I have ascertained on 
other occasions.! The young differ greatly from the adult, the plumage being 
every where strongly tinged with ferrugineous, most conspicuous on the wing 
coverts and tertials ; the under parts are thickly streaked with dusky. On 
the 1st of September, when I left the country, the species was still numerous, 
apparently as much so as ever. 
While off the coast of Nova Scotia, the Land appearing as an indistinct line 
on the horizon, a Savannah Sparrow alighted on the vessel in«o exhausted a 
state, as to suffer itself to be taken in hand. After resting a short time, how- 
ever, it took 'flight and disappeared in the direction of the land, which it no 
doubt reached in safety. 
Zonotrichia leucophrys (Forst. ) Sw. — White-crowsied Sparrow. “Chip-bird.” 
Fringilla leucophrys, And. Birds Amer. iii. 157 } pi. 192. 
Zonotrichia leucophrys, Baird, Gen. Rep. 458. 
This large and handsome Finch breeds in great numbers along the entire 
* No individuals of A. linaria were seen during my stay in Labrador, 
t At Washington* D. C;,: in the month of April. 
1861,] 
